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Breathing, Relaxation & Visualisation Techniques Workshop

60 minutes tuition with birth partner £50

90 minutes tuition with birth partner £70

Breathing techniques are useful for everyone. When an individual is calm, respiration tends to be slower, more rhythmic and smoother, through the nasal cavity so the air is filtered, humidified and heated.

When air enters and exits the body through the nose rather than via the mouth, more resistance occurs and exhalation therefore tends to last longer. All these factors aid efficient gaseous exchange and in this relaxed state, the parasympathetic nervous system is activated, blood vessels dilate and circulation is able to replenish all the cells of the body without stress to the heart.

When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated women are able to alter their perception of physical pain during childbirth, feel more in control of their labour and sustain their energy levels more effectively. It is helpful to familiarise yourself with a variety of breathing techniques during your pregnancy so that you can naturally draw upon these during childbirth. Two or three techniques will be practised during your session.

As well as breathing techniques, a couple of simple visualisations will be offered as these can be useful tools to manage anxiety and internalise your experience of childbirth. Whatever environment you choose for childbirth there may be times throughout your labour when you wish to take your awareness within and conserve energy but need to anchor your mind.

The first early stages of labour can be frustrating and tiring and it is believed that stress and tension may slow this process down and therefore relaxing visualisations can help the labouring woman to become calmer, cope better and be less reactive to matters outside of her control. Visualisation and meditation may also help to balance and replenish energy levels teaching the body to relax and the mind to focus on things other than the present pain.